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And nothing will change because our own government, and her Majesty, refuse to actually DO anything.
This issue was raised when the Queen made a statement regarding equality and refused to mention sexuality. The omission of LGBTI rights and sexual equality from the Queen’s message was a glaring one.

Why would we expect anything to change when even the head of the state and the commonwealth refuses to mention sexual minorities in equality statements?

The government needs to take a stronger stand. Those countries violating human rights should be told that financial aid will stop (some of it paid for by gay taxpayers) or they can leave the commonwealth, end of. Why they don’t do that baffles me.

David Cameron made a statement that we shouldn’t be boycotting Russia during the winter Olympics, if Mr Cameron hasn’t got the balls to do that to Russia then how can expect countries MUCH worse than Russia to ever change their ways? We say the holocaust, slavery and apartheid were terrible things in history, but when it comes to LGBT people in the same position, no one seems to give a damn.

Because so many people suffer internalised homophobia – which results in the outward manifestation of anti-gay hatred – politicians are less likely to act. As in schools, teachers are fearful that to challenge homophobia might be interpreted as being pro-gay. Until the REASONS for homophobia are fully explored and explained, nothing will change. ‘Religious belief’ is not, in itself, an explanation. Some people who are ‘religious’ get divorced; eat shellfish, wear clothes made of two materials, etc, etc – and do a myriad other things condemned as ‘sins’ by that old novel. Yet they cling for dear life to the anti-gay bits. Why? Once people understand that and are forced to confront it, perhaps things will start to change ….

As an Englishman living in New Zealand, I strongly support the the republican movement in my adopted country. If 41 out of 53 Commonwealth countries still criminalize homosexuality, then perhaps it is time for LGBTI people living in the Commonwealth to seek to dismantle it. I quite simply do not wish to be part of an institution that criminalizes any sector of society on the basis of a biological chance. Support for our republican movement is a way that LGBTI people in New Zealand can exert pressure for the acceptance of universal human rights in remaining Commonwealth countries.